Only the footfalls of his hooves pierced the blazing
stillnessImplacable destiny broke his age-old dwelling

His address was gone…he'd lost his right to live in
his home!

He quivered, as his memories roared--the streets were full of bloodHe remembered his dying master writhing, trembling in pain; and how he cautiously pulled him up on his back

Kept dawdling towards home; Before he could reach home; his master was pinned to
the ground by enemies

Babaushka got on his hind legs, reared into the air; slumped near his master.

Pulled him on the saddle went sprinting over the hills,
holding him stoutly on his back

Through the rocks, he saw the master’s wife in the
courtyard; sure-footed he entered

He put the dead-body at her feet and
neighed…and then..........Hell suspended on earth!

A few lashes sent lacerating pain through his shoulders and collarbone;

Sounds of half-moan, and whimpering left his
mouth---Faithfulness a tragedy no doubt.!

She pulled the straps off his shoulders in anger and grief; banishingPersecuting and letting him bleed into the deep teal
of the night...Wind shifted throughout the nightBabaushka was now awaiting a tiny slice of
morning...

A paradise--- safe from snakes, pests was all that his heart was desiringAway from the world of cheats who rub shoulders with death on the wayTears blurred Baboushka's
vision...slowly The riotous bougainvilleas and the passion flowers drifted out of his sightOnly black outlines, ugly human figures stood on
the ridge of the night sky

A profound peace slipped in; humming verses comforting the stallion

Baboushka stayed there until his pain and exhaustion
passed …

With unsteady trot, stamping his hooves, he started movingThere were maggots multiplying in his wounds; he
could smell his own blood

But, this was not torture, ...his heart went tripping to spread out; and he roseHe mounted on the flowing river; fishes swam and pecked his legsBut on rounding the bend something bit him hard, and his body twitched He looked down; it was a snake-infested stream…the horse's legs trembled

OMG...thanksss a lot, Umashankar! Coming from a writer of your stature...it means a lot to me!

Since the narration merges into the horse's personal thoughts, so that probably reminds you of Brothers Karamazov. I saw the movie also many years back...Oh Dostoyevsky is one of my favorite authors..Thank you for your encouragement:))))Do appreciate.

I felt I was inside the horse, as a companion to the horse spirit. I felt the loyalty. I felt the hard work of carrying the dead master home. I felt the struggle to drop him at the Mistress feet. I felt the pain of not being understood. I felt the sorrow of having no home--the Ronin. I felt how the Ronin has now on other alternative but to pass. I felt the detachment. I felt the letting go. Yes, I felt the peace.

Bhavana,I guess, appropriate comments are like miniature articles.Good comments add value to the blogs. The real Ego boost comes only when you get meaningful comments from readers like you. You are truly good for my Ego, Bhavana. Feeling smug:)))But, that doesn't mean you should change your profession now..LOL!! Please don't deprive us of reading your creative blogs. You are one awesome blogger here---feel flattered my dear:)) And I mean it! xoxo

Thanks very much Rachna, for those wonderful words of encouragement. Maybe,you're right. But it feels good to know that now I have a platform, even if it is not a book. The good news is that it attracts audience like you...completely satisfied at this age :)) Thanks to friends like Deepak for referring me... :))! I am grateful...god bless !!

I am glad you read to the last line, as you do each time... :)))Your comment is of course the cherry on top. Thank you for your lovely words of appreciation. They impress me far more than bluster would have done....:))Thanks a million.